Redshirt senior Ashleigh Connor is set to take the reins at point guard for Iowa State women's basketball. After two seasons as La Salle's starting PG, where she led in points, assists and ranked second in conference free‑throw makes (148), Connor brings veteran leadership to a roster that lacks experience. Standing 5‑11, she averages 2.0 steals per game and boasts a 35% three‑point rate this past season. Expected healthy for the season opener on Nov. 2 against Grambling State, she could also slide into a shooting‑guard role alongside Sienna Harvey and Macy Comitto. In what will be her final collegiate year, Connor aims to help Bill Fennelly's Cyclones win as many games as possible.
Virginia Cavaliers freshman Favour Ibe, a 7‑foot‑1 Nigerian center, chose UVA after watching Ugonna Onyenso thrive under Coach Ryan Odom. A former soccer player turned basketball prospect, Ibe arrived after a standout senior year at Mt. Zion Prep—averaging 16.5 points, 13.5 rebounds and earning first‑team All‑Elite Prep honors. In three preseason exhibitions he posted nine points and 11 rebounds, showing flashes of offensive touch but also rawness, committing fouls and lacking shot‑blocking. With a physical profile similar to Onyenso’s, Ibe could develop into a rim‑protecting cornerstone by March if he adapts quickly, making his progression a key storyline for Virginia’s 2026‑27 campaign.
Wisconsin made 18 three-pointers in an 82-65 exhibition win over Oklahoma State, exposing shooting and turnover concerns for the Cowboys before the regular season.
Robert Morris vs. New Haven, 12 p.m. ET
In Week 8, Black Shoe Diaries updates its bowl projections for Penn State, tracking picks from ESPN, Yahoo/Sports Illustrated, CBS Sports, and Athlon. Yahoo/SI slots Penn State into the Cactus Bowl in Tempe, AZ on Dec 26 against Kansas State, while ESPN’s Bonagura/Schlabach lists a possible match versus Duke in Charlotte’s Mayo Bowl (also Dec 26). CBS and Athlon have no bowl assignments yet. The post highlights the race to confirm Bonagura and SI’s selections.
UConn’s 2026‑27 non‑conference slate is a gauntlet, featuring six top‑20 teams before 2027. The Huskies open the season against No. 16 Michigan on Nov. 6, a rematch of the 2026 Final Four where point guard Elliot Cadeau starred. Michigan returns with Cadeau and a refreshed supporting cast despite the loss of five‑star freshman Brandon McCoy. Next on the road is No. 5 Arizona on Nov. 18, whose trio of All‑American‑caliber players—big man Motiejus Krivas, wing Ivan Kharchenkov and forward Holt—promise a high‑floor attack. The blog breaks the schedule into November and December matchups, highlighting the challenges and key players UConn must navigate to preserve its championship pedigree.
See the full Wednesday, October 28, 2026 men's college basketball exhibition schedule, including all 22 games, Eastern tip times and available TV, streaming and radio coverage.
UNC escaped a near‑upset in an exhibition against Charlotte, rallying from a one‑point deficit with 16 seconds left to force overtime and win 89‑82. Terrence Brown led the Tar Heels with 27 points, while Neo Avdalas added 16 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Charlotte unexpectedly out‑rebounded UNC 36‑30 and even called a non‑existent timeout late in regulation. The win, though, left fans unimpressed. The article also notes former UNC coach Hubert Davis’s new role at TNT, praising his broadcast prospects. The piece highlights the shaky preseason showing and upcoming challenges for the Tar Heels.
Most of these teams won't make the tournament, but there are some teams from the lower-mid-major conferences that will be conference champions and qualify for the NCAA Tournament. These teams will all finish closer to .500 overall.
Kansas athletics dominate the Daily Mauling: football coach Lance Leipold faces mounting pressure as the Jayhawks slump to 3‑4, with a 24‑21 Orange Bowl win in 2008 highlighted by Todd Reesing’s heroics. A recent victory over Baylor offers a spark, but the defense still ranks last in Big 12 rush defense (166.9 yards allowed). Freshmen Tyran Stokes and Taylen Kinney provide bright spots, while basketball endures exhibition losses to Louisville and Duke. The post also notes ESPN’s deep dive on the Lakers’ sale and a feature on Oregon’s long‑time fan Ron McCullough.
Michigan women’s basketball enters the 2026-27 season ranked No. 5 in the AP preseason poll—the highest spot in program history—and sets its sights on a national championship. Junior guards Syla Swords and Olivia Olson, both preseason All‑Big Ten selections, boldly declare title aspirations after a historic 2025‑26 run that included a second‑place Big Ten finish, an Elite Eight appearance and the program’s highest NCAA seed (No. 2). Coach Kim Barnes Arico emphasizes winning the Big Ten and advancing deep in March Madness. Returning nearly the entire starting lineup, including All‑American Olson and watch‑list guard Mila Holloway, the Wolverines aim to surpass the legacy of Naz Hillmon and capture conference and national trophies.
Pharrel Payne’s return headlines Maryland men’s basketball, but coach Buzz Williams’ true strength lies in a guard‑heavy backcourt. Five off‑season additions—including transfer DJ Wagner, scoring guard Andre Mills, and sharpshooter Mike McNair Jr.—already contributed 31 of 45 first‑half points in exhibitions against Georgia Tech and West Virginia. Mills, fresh from a 39‑point career high, posted 26 points on 60% shooting, while Wagner logged a team‑high seven assists. McNair brings a 44.4% three‑point clip, addressing the Terps’ previous shooting woes. Bench depth adds veteran guard Maban Jabriel and freshman Kaden House, giving Williams plenty of lineup options for the upcoming season.
Kentucky (ranked No. 23) hosts UCF for its final exhibition on Oct. 28 at Rupp Arena, with tipoff at 6 p.m. ET on the SEC Network. The Wildcats arrive after two strong preseason wins—69‑49 over Little Rock and 76‑65 over No. 19 Texas Tech, where Milan Momcilovic and Malachi Moreno each poured in 15 points. UCF, 1‑1 in exhibition play, looks to rebound after a loss to LSU. Kentucky will use the game to fine‑tune chemistry and rebounding before opening the regular season against Manhattan on Nov. 3.
Ohio State heads to Los Angeles for a pivotal Week 9 clash against USC, entering as 6.5‑point favorites for the 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff. The Trojans sit 6‑2, with QB Jayden Maiava throwing for 2,302 yards and 19 TDs, while receivers Kayden Dixon‑Wyatt and Trent Mosley have emerged as key threats. Ohio State’s defense, allowing just 13.4 points per game, dwarfs USC’s 25.0, though USC’s 300‑plus yard passing attack will test the Buckeyes. Analysts Cole and Joey break down how Ohio State can dominate the run, protect its quarterback, and exploit USC’s defensive lapses. The segment also previews other top matchups, including Arizona vs. Texas Tech and Florida vs. Georgia.
Interim head coach Aazaar Abdul‑Rahim addresses Maryland football reporters on Oct. 27, 2026, emphasizing a five‑week culture‑building push focused on brotherhood and team‑first mentality after Mike Locksley’s departure. He and AD Jim Smith stress supporting the players during the transition, with Abdul‑Rahim remaining a candidate for the permanent job amid strong national interest. The Terps debut his approach against Illinois on Oct. 31 at noon on Fox Sports One, while adopting permanent captains for the rest of the season. The release also notes soccer’s Laurin Mack earning Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Week, field hockey rising to No. 2 in NFHCA rankings, and women’s basketball guard Oluchi Okananwa landing on the Ann Meyers Drysdale watch list.
Advanced analytics by Evan Miyakawa crown Kentucky transfer Milan Momcilovic as the nation’s top 3‑point shooter heading into the 2026‑27 season, projecting a 43.4% clip and noting his 100‑plus extra attempts over peers. In two exhibition games, Momcilovic hit 6‑of‑11 threes while scoring 15 and 16 points. Miyakawa’s simulation of SEC teams predicts Kentucky could finish anywhere from No. 6 to No. 64 nationally, with a median ranking of 26th. The wide range highlights the Wildcats’ potential to reach the Final Four or miss the NCAA tournament altogether in Mark Pope’s third year.
Kentucky’s recruiting blitz may fall short as three top‑10 2027 prospects announce their commitments this week. Defensive standout 6‑11 Lewis Uvwo, a premier shot‑blocker, is predicted to choose Baylor over Kentucky, Cal and Providence on Oct. 28 at 3:30 PM ET. Point guard 6‑2 Reese Alston, lauded for his playmaking, is tipped for LSU on Oct. 29 at 4:00 PM ET, beating offers from Kentucky, Wichita State, Tennessee and Louisville. Charlotte native 6‑7 forward Demarcus Henry is expected to head home to North Carolina on Oct. 30, rejecting Kentucky, Arkansas and Louisville. The article dissects each recruit’s fit and Kentucky’s looming gaps.
Cooper Flagg leads the Dallas Mavericks to a 113-109 win over the Miami Heat at Kaseya Center on October 26, 2026. The 19‑year‑old, now listed at 6‑10½, posts a near‑triple‑double with 29 points, 6 rebounds, 11 assists, plus 5 steals and 3 blocks, showcasing guard‑like agility and stifling defense. Comparisons to Toni Kukoč highlight his versatile skill set, while his growth since his Duke days underscores his rising star status.
Mizzou basketball’s CJ Gunn faces an uncertain start to the 2026‑27 season after a judge postponed the preliminary injunction hearing that could clear his eligibility. The temporary restraining order now runs until 5 p.m. on Nov. 2, just before the Tigers must file their roster for the season‑opening game against Cleveland State. Without a new hearing, Gunn—who transferred from DePaul after averaging 13.1 points and 3.7 rebounds—may sit out unless he pursues another injunction. The thread also notes incoming football recruit Braylen Warren’s commitment and updates on other Tiger athletes, but Gunn’s status dominates the headline.
The Champaign Room predicts the Big Ten will stay in the national elite for 2026‑27, with Illinois clinching the regular‑season title under Brad Underwood and Michigan State hot on their heels. Jeremy Fears Jr. (MSU) is the projected Player of the Year, while Illinois forward Pryce Sandfort could contend for Big Ten POY. Nebraska and Purdue are forecast as triple‑bye teams, and nine mid‑tier schools—including Ohio State, Wisconsin, and Indiana—should earn NCAA Tournament bids, leaving Northwestern, Washington, Oregon, Rutgers and Penn State out. The article also lists First‑Team All‑Big Ten selections and names Underwood Coach of the Year.
During the David Mirkovic and Andrej Stojakovic podium session at Big Ten Media Days, the two Illinois basketball players were asked who the biggest trash talker is on the team. Quentin Coleman and Jake Davis, they responded. Yes, Quentin Coleman, the freshman guard who will play his first real competitive collegiate minutes in the season […]
The post Quentin Coleman Already Among Biggest Trash-Talkers on Current Illini Team appeared first on The Sports Bank .
UCLA M. Basketball Postgame - Coach Cronin, vs. San Diego (Oct. 27, 2026)
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On the latest Oskee Talk episode, host welcomes back Brandt Dolce to break down Illinois football’s stunning 31-24 upset of Oregon, critiquing the Ducks’ game plan and highlighting renewed optimism for the Illini’s final season stretch. The duo then preview Saturday’s Maryland showdown and shift to men’s basketball, weighing the preseason’s risks and rewards, analyzing Brad Underwood’s roster, and sharing season outlooks. Listeners get in‑depth recaps and forward‑looking analysis for both programs.
Arizona women’s basketball rebounded from a sluggish start to rout Cal State Monterey Bay 92-54 in their final exhibition before opening against Stanford on Oct. 28, 2026. Coach Becky Burke highlighted defensive lapses and the need for more physical play, while guard Aliyahna “Puff” Morris admitted the first quarter was weak. The Wildcats surged after a timeout, dominated the third quarter 28-10, and overcame a technical foul incident. Four players scored in double figures: Aliyahna Morris led with 15 points, Sumayah Sugapong added 13, Jasleen Green 12, and Makayla Presser‑Palmer posted a double‑double with 12 points and 12 rebounds.
Highights - UCLA Men's Basketball vs. University of San Diego (Oct. 27, 2026)
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